All schools, child development centers and central offices will be closed December 22, 2008 – January 2, 2009, for Winter Break. Payday is Tuesday, December 30. Traditional schools and central offices will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2009. Year-round schools will reopen on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Have a safe and restful break.

The Instructional Media Center (IMC) and the Teacher's Media Center (TMC) will close for the Winter Break on Sunday, December 21, 2008, and reopen on Monday January 5, 2009.  No online orders will be processed during this period.  For questions, please call the IMC Circulation desk at (858) 496-8438, Monday through Thursday, 2-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; or Sunday, 1- 5 p.m. 

Human Resources will be offering a How to Apply  workshop twice a month during 2009.  The focus will be a step-by-step explanation of the online application process. The workshop is open to current district employees and new applicants interested in applying for non-teaching positions. For more information or to sign up, call (619) 725-8195.

On Monday, December 29, the district website, e-mail and District Wide Application (DWA) systems will be unavailable from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight, due to system maintenance. During this time, employees will not have access to the website, Outlook e-mail or DWA applications (PeopleSoft, Zangle, and Encore) from school sites or from home.  For information or with questions, please contact the I.T. Help Desk at (619) 725-7500.

Hepatitis B vaccines will be available on Tuesday, December 16, from 1-4 p.m., in the Education Center auditorium for all employees whose job duties expose them to bloodborne pathogens, such as nurses, custodians, special education techs and police officers. For information about the clinic or the vaccine, contact Carole Harris, R.N. with the Nursing and Wellness Program, at (858) 627-7592 or charris2@sandi.net.

Recognize and honor excellence. Nominations are now being accepted for your school site Teacher of the Year . The deadline to submit a nomination form is Friday, January 23, 2009. All nominated teachers will be recognized at a special Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. Nominees also have the opportunity to apply for district Teacher of the Year. For information, contact Jennie Breister at jbreister@sandi.net or (619) 725-5598.

All school sites that have retained and paid people with ASB funds during 2008 must submit the pink copies of the ASB Consultant forms to Accounts Payable, Room 3209, Eugene Brucker Education Center, no later than Friday, December 19. This will ensure the consultant (referee, performance artist, etc.) receives a 1099 IRS form by the regulatory deadline of January 31, 2009. Please make sure the forms are legible and the consultant's full social security number and physical address appear on each form.  The district pays a penalty for each late or missing return. For information, contact Sandy Davis at sdavis@sandi.net or (619) 725-7756.

• January Discover Program Classes Posted
  Don’t miss out on the great professional development opportunities from the Discover Program . Registration is still open for the following January course offerings:
  
  
  • Educational Psychology, Part 2 (2 cr.)
  • Strengthening Your Curriculum! (.5 cr.)
  • CPR-Basic Life Support and First Aid (.5 cr.)
  • Garden Design/Project Based, Part 1 and 2 (.5 cr.) 
  • Re-directing for a Cooperative Classroom (1 cr.)
  • GATE - Differentiating Instruction Utilizing Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles and Preferences (.5 cr.)

Register early to avoid class cancellations. Classes are held based on registrations received.  To view course descriptions and register online, go to the DISCOVER website.  For information, contact Esther Caluza at ecaluza@sandi.net.

• Earn National Board Certification, Master's Degree at the Same Time
  In partnership with National University; district teachers can pursue National Board Certification in 2009-10 while completing a Master's Degree in Teaching, a Master's with an Administrative Credential, or simply National Board Certification. Classes meet one night per week at a district school and online in a hybrid program. Apply for the February cohort no later than February 2, 2009. Plan to attend an informational meeting  to learn more. For information, contact Julia Groff at jgroff@sandi.net.

• Build an Elementary School Website at No Cost
  The Communications and Information Technology departments have a joint project that provides elementary schools with the tools and knowledge to create and manage their own websites at no cost. After attending two 3-hour training sessions, schools can develop and launch a website without special equipment or technical expertise. The next training will be held Thursday, January 8 (Part 1), and January 15 (Part 2), from noon to 3 p.m., with open labs from 3-5 p.m. So far, 20 elementary schools have launched websites after this training. For information or to register, contact Geoff Smith, at gsmith2@sandi.net or (619) 725-7464.

• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship
  African American high school seniors who are residents of San Diego County are invited to apply for scholarships offered by the San Diego Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Applications  and instructions are available online at http://www.dstsandiego.org. Applications must be received by January 31, 2009. For more information, e-mail scholarship@dstsandiego.org.

• Black History Essay Contest
  Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is also sponsoring its annual Black History Essay Contest (Download Application) to enhance students’ knowledge of contributions made by African Americans. Monetary awards will be provided in the following categories: Grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. In each category, first place recipients will receive $100, second place recipients will receive $75, and third place recipients will receive $50. For information, visit www.dstsandiego.org.

• Student Writing for Literacy Essay Contest
  Students in grades 4, 8 and 10 attending a school served by the San Diego Public Library system are invited to enter the 12th Annual Student Writing for Literacy Essay Contest. The deadline to submit an entry is Thursday, February 12, 2009. For information and an entry form, check with the school office or contact phlwen@pacbell.net or (619) 697-2024.

• Superintendent’s Friday Notes
• Hamilton Elementary

• The De Portola Middle School December Lights Winter Concert, presented by the school’s instrumental music program, will be held Wednesday, December 17, at 7 p.m., in Crespi Hall. Admission is free. For information, call the school at (858) 496-8080.

• Enjoy festive musical selections performed by choral groups, the jazz band and wind ensembles at the Patrick Henry High Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 17, at 7 p.m.  For additional information, call Nancy Passmore at (619) 286-7700, ext. 2226.

• The University City High School Winter Concert will be held Thursday, December 18, at 7 p.m., in the auditorium. $3 donation for adults; $2 for students.  For information, call the school at (858) 457-3040.

• All staff, parents and community members are invited to stop by the final Instructional Materials Open House on Wednesday, December 17, from 3 - 6 p.m., and review instructional materials currently being evaluated for adoption in specific courses. For information, visit the Instructional Materials Department website or call Robin Clabaugh at (858) 496-8466.

• San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) is restaging Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award winning musical, “The King and I.” Performances at 7 p.m. on December 18-19; 2 p.m. on December 20. Tickets start at $8 for adults; $7 for students, senior and military. For information, call (619) 475-8556 or visit www.scpa.sandi.net.
  
  
• The Dingeman Elementary School production of The Story of Hansel and Gretel will be held Wednesday, December 17, at 7 p.m., in the school auditorium. For information, call the school at (858) 549-4437.

• A Retirement Open House  will be held for Chela Munar on Thursday, December 18, from 3-5 p.m., in the Annex 9 Testing Room at the Education Center. Stop by to congratulate Chela on her retirement after more than 30 years with San Diego Unified.
  
  
• The World Beat Cultural Center presents the Kwanzaa Celebration screening of "The Black Candle" by filmmaker M.K. Asante Jr. on Saturday, December 27, from 6:30 – 10 p.m., in Balboa Park, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego (92101). This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.worldbeatcenter.org or call (619) 230-1190.
    
• The Black Storytellers of San Diego, Inc. is hosting its ninth annual Family Holiday Storytelling Concert   on Sunday, December 28, from 3-5 p.m., at the Malcolm X Library, 5148 Market St., San Diego (92114). Admission is free. For information, call (619) 422-7053.

View more Upcoming Events in the Events section on www.sandi.net.

For Sale:

• 2004 Hyundai Sonata, Black, Leather, Sun Roof, Exc. Cond. $7900 obo. (Won a new car on The Price is Right.) Call (760) 233-5988.

• Upright piano. Perfect for student. $1500 or best offer. E-mail darlingtrudy@aol.com.

• (2) Male AKC Mini-Dachshunds Wheaton Wirehairs. Just in time for X-MAS! Adorable! $500. Call (858) 679-1280.

• Upright Piano, Janssen Piano, circa 1950’s. Good condition. Needs tuning. $200. You move. Call (619) 276-0616.

• 1998 Honda Passport. 124K. New CD player w/iPod connection. A/C, auto, 6 cyl. Nice interior, reliable car.  $3700/obo. Call (619) 347-8519. 

For Rent:

• 2 BR/2BA 2-story house in University Heights. Built in 2006. Enclosed garages. No pets or smoking. $1800. Call (619)723-2198.

• 3 BR/2 BA House in El Cajon. Pool, gazebo, waterfall and pond. Slate Deck. Brick BBQ. $2,000. Call (619) 729-1205.

Wanted

• Roommate to share 2 BR/2BA condo in RB/4S Ranch. Pvt. room + bath. $700, inc.utilities. Call (310) 210-5472.

Classified ads are accepted from district employees only and cannot be used to advertise commercial activities. Submit ads by e-mail to communications@sandi.net. Limit to 15 words (not including phone number). Include work location and phone number (for ID purposes only).

Do you have an announcement for Newsline? Newsline is published every Monday; the deadline to submit items is noon on the preceding Friday.  E-mail items to communications@sandi.net and mark “Newsline” in the subject line.